Scituate High School Drama Club to present 'Mamma Mia!'

Thursday

Nov 8, 2018 at 2:00 PM

“Mamma Mia!” is coming to Scituate’s Center for the Performing Arts courtesy of the Scituate High School Drama Club, who will be performing the popular musical on Nov. 16 and 17.

Set on a fictitious Greek island, "Mamma Mia!" tells the story of Sophie, a young bride-to-be who would like her father to walk her down the aisle on her big day. The problem is she doesn’t know who he is. Based on some information she discovers in a dairy of her mother, Donna, the possibilities are narrowed down to three men, whom she invites to her wedding in hopes of discovering the truth.

The musical is filled with fun, dancing, and plenty of great songs from ABBA – a 70s pop group from Sweden with international hits such as “Dancing Queen,” “Take a Chance on Me,” “SOS,” and the play’s title song, “Mamma Mia!”, among many others.

“We had originally chosen another show to work on over the summer, however, that fell through so we were left scrambling trying to lock down a choice,” said director Matt Maggio. “I saw that 'Mamma Mia!' is now available and thought that would be a very fun show to do.”

Hayden Startzell, a junior, has the role of “Harry,” one of Sophie’s three possible fathers. He is also co-president, along with Maggie Blake, of the Scituate High School Drama Club.

“I enjoy characters in a tough position because they're a lot of fun to watch,” he said. “Playing them is a bit more difficult, but that doesn't affect my opinion of Harry.”

The challenge for Startzell was Harry’s accent.

“Harry has so many Britishisms that the wonderful Matt Maggio has requested I have an accent,” he said. “I've watched multiple videos on doing one correctly, and that is the part I've been most concerned about. Slipping on it just a little bit could completely ruin the illusion to the audience and I want to be sure everything is consistent.”

Avery Browne, a sophomore, plays “Lisa,” one of Sophie’s friends.

Browne is also part of the set design crew.

“I love playing Lisa,” she said. “I think she’s an awesome supporting role for a sophomore like me, and I’m able to be a part of so many fun dances and interactions.”

Her favorite thing about "Mamma Mia!" is how “vibrant and different it is from other musicals done by SHS.”

“It really stands out by being in a completely unique, colorful setting and hyping the audience up with every new song. I hope that we’re able to keep up that energy,” Browne said.

As is the practice for the SHS Drama Club, students are involved in every aspect of the production.

Sydney Moos, a junior, is the head of set design and the assistant head of the hair department.

“I work with the set crew who helps make these decisions, propose new, creative ideas, and we do a lot of the physical work together,” she said.

For the hair department, Moos helps form ideas and finds really creative ways to embody a character through their hair.

“We also love teaching people, we have a lot of people who have no experience but want to help, so we teach them how to do anything from braiding to slicking back men’s hair in the proper way.”

Freshman Lucy Minich is mostly ensemble, however, she ended up getting what she called “probably the smallest speaking role in the play, which I’m pretty happy about.”

“Freshmen usually don’t get speaking roles, so I take what I can get,” she said. “My speaking role is Father Alexandrios, the priest who officiates the wedding at the end of the show. I do a lot more ensemble/background roles than I do as the priest, though.”

Being in the ensemble is “super fun,” she said. “I play a guy, which I do a lot because I have short hair and can sing low and there’s always a shortage of guys in theater. I get to do a lot of dancing in ensemble, which is super fun, and I’m in a really fun dance number where the other ensemble members and I have to dance in flippers.”

Gabby Walsh, a freshman, is the assistant to the head of lights, Will Davis.

“Seeing the difference lighting made in previous SHS productions and having an unhealthy obsession with 'Mamma Mia' made me interested in this particular musical,” Walsh said.

Maggio said the best thing about directing this cast is their total dedication.

“Everyone brings a unique outlook and energy that is so fun to work with as a director,” said Maggio.

Getting high school students to identify with problems that many have no experience with, such as failed relationships, absent parent figures, and financial problems, can prove challenging, however, Maggio said.

Senior Payton Swan has the role of Donna Sheridan, Sophie’s mother.

“I find Donna so interesting,” Swan said. “I admire the wit and feistiness she maintains throughout the show, but she is also able to let her guard down and be vulnerable when she needs to.”

The biggest challenge for Swan was getting into the mindset of a middle-aged woman.

“Being 17, it can be hard to relate to something a 40-year-old woman does and says,” she said. “But as I dove into her character, especially her relationship with her daughter and friends, I was able to connect to her.”

Swan’s favorite part of the show is “Dancing Queen,” she said.

“Dancing with the girls on stage and singing about being young and free is so much fun and I know the audience will have as much fun as we have performing it.”

The production is coming along “fantastic,” Moos said.

“We’re definitely under a time crunch, but everybody is rallying very well - tech crew and actors alike.”

Everyone should come see this show because it is just pure fun, Maggio said.

“Everyone should know the songs, it is all ABBA music, and there's comedy, drama, a ton of dancing and a lot of good feelings.”

"Mamma Mia!" will be performed at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16 and Saturday, Nov. 17 at the Scituate Center for the Performing Arts located at the back of the high school, 606 Chief Justice Cushing Highway (Route 3A). Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 seniors/students. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit the Scituate High School Drama Club on Facebook.